Can-filling machine



I Apri'17'24,1192&

o; H. HANSEN CAN vFILLINGMACHINE *Filed June v. 192s 2 sheets-sheet 1 April 24, 1928. 1,666,931

o. H. HANSEN CAN FILLING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y Filed June '7, 1923 5 Lge-E- 53" 6l K a 6o Patentedv Apr. 24, 192s.

i UNITEDl STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

OSWALD HANSEN, OF PORT WSHINGTON, WISCONSIN,v .ASSIGNOR TO HANSEN- CANNING MACHINERY CORPORATION, O-F CEDARBURG, WISCONSIN, A CORPORA- TION OF WISCONSIN.

CAN-FILLING MACHINE.

Application filed June 7, 1923. Serial No. 643,850.

. filling machine which is simple in construction and efficient in operation.

Several of the more important specific objects and advantages of the present invention are as follows First- JTO provide simple, compact, saniv tary and. efficient apparatus for supplying granular material such aslpeas or berries, in

bulk to a can filling machine, and for automatically measuring batches of the substance prior to delivery thereof to the cans, without d-amaging or wasting the granules. V Secondf-To provide improved structure for supplying'liquid such as brine or syrup,

i to acan filling machine, and'for automati cally measuring batches of the liquid prior to ldelivery thereof to the cans, without wasting any o f the material. v f t `Third- To provide an improved can fillments of which may be conveniently manufactured, assembled, dismantled and adj usted, and all parts of which are readily accessible for operation, inspection and cleaning. l

Fourth.-To provide a can filling machine which is fool-proof and sanitary in every 40 respect and which is automatic and reliable in operation.

While the improvements are disclosed herein as being applied to a can filling machine which is especially adapted to fill successive cans with measured batches ofmixture of brine and peas, it is not intended to limit thescope of the invention by such spelng machine assemblage, the` various ele-` cic disclosure. Some of the novel features of can filling machine construction which are disclosed but not specifically claimed herein, form no ,part of the present-invention and ferm the subject-of copending applications.

lAclear conception of the several. novel features. comprising the present improvement and of the operation of a machine em- -bodying the same, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification in which like reference characters designatethe same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary-sectional vie'w of i the improved can filling machine, the section to the right of thei vertical central axisbeingtaken through the liquid supply manifold 4and passages and the section to the left of.l said axis being taken through the mixture discharge opening. 6

Fig. 2 is an elevation ofthe liquid supply piping and the liquid reserve tank.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the stationary liquid supply member and manifold, having the bottom-.plate removed'from the member, but showing a fragment of the stationaryv intermediate plate associated therewith.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary part sectional elevation of the improved can filling machine looking toward the granularl material supply hopper side thereof.

Fig. 5 is' a fragmentary part sectional top view of the improved can` filling machine with part ofthe hopper removed and showing an agitator ofv improved construction disposed Within the lower `portion ofthe granular material supply hopper.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged frao'mentary sectional view showing the detailD tionofthe improved agitator. i

Fig. 7 is anenlarged fragmentary sectional view showingthe details of construction of the rotary cut ofi valve.

The improved can filling =machine disclosed in the accompanying drawing comprises in general a granular material supply s of construchopper 2 having a discharge opening in the lower portion thereof; adjustable and nonadjustable pocket elements 4, 5 respectively forming an annular series of movable granularmaterial measuring pockets 40 which are successively communicable with the hopper 2 through lthe bottom discharge opening thereof; an element 7 forming an annular series of movable mixture measuring pockets 41 successively communicable with the. superposed pockets 40 and with a source of liquid supply; means for transporting cans 19 in series to, through and from the machine;

and mechanism for'driving the various elements of the structure.

The granular material supply hopper is mounted upon a vertically adjustable nonrotary top plate 3 having a central vertical I the supply hopper 2. As shown inFigs. 1

pocket element 5.l j l provided with an annular marginal rim 52 and 4, the lower portion of the hopper 2 may be provided with a stationary element 32 having an inclined lower surface for urging granular material into the successive pockets 40 as they pass beyond the hopper discharge opening, and for preventing bridging of the material across the hopper 2.

,The upper adjustable pocket element 4 is rotatably supported upon an annularbearing plate 35 which is securedto the bottom of the'top plate 3. and has a series of seven downwardly projecting' tubular portions which fit '-within corresponding upwardly projecting' tubular portions of the lower The upper element 4 is which extends upwardly abovethe joint between the element 4 and the top plate 3 in order to prevent liquid which may escape' through vthis joint from owing down the side ofthe machine. 5The telescop'ing tubular portions of the elements 4,5 form the j granular material "measuring pockets 40 which are adjustable in volume as. will be later described. The lower pocket element 5 is drivingly connected with a rotary central bearing sleeve formed integral with the element 7, by means of a key or' the like, and the upper pocket element 4 is rotatable by virtue of its telescopic connection with the lower element 5. The lower ppcket element 45 is supported upon a stationary intermediate plate 6 having a. granular naterial ing an annular marginal rim 53 extending upwardly above the joint between the plate 6 and the element 5 in order to prevent liquid which may escape through this joint from flowing down the side of the machine. `The stationary stop 84 is fastened to the plate 6 and has a lower portion or lug which engages a recess in the stationary member 8 to prevent rotation of the plate 6 while permitting free vertical removal thereof.

The pocket element 7 is formed in one piece and .has seven mixture measuring pockets 41 of ixed volume formed therein. The element 7 snugly fits a recess'forn'icd in the bot-tom of the stationary intermediate plate 6 and rests upon a grid plate 9 which is stationarily supported within v`the liquid supply member 8. The intermediate plate 6 is provided with a sector shape air vent 38 shown in Figs. 1 and 3. which extends from the granular material discharge opening 51 and in the direction of travel of the pockets about. the central vertical axis of the machine.` The central portion of the pocket element 7 is bored to receive a stationary sleeve 24 having a lower cap the purpose of which'will be subsequently explained. The lower central portion of the pocket element 7 is provided ,with a driving socket adapted to receive a driving head 2,3 as shown in,

Fig. 1.

The stationary 'brine supply member is cup shape and comprises a horizontal bottom supporting the grid plate 9, and avertical annular wallcoacting with t-he periphery of the intermediate plate 6. The grid plate 9 and the bottom of the member 8 are provided with registering mixture discharge openings 37 and the intermediate plate 6 is provided with one or 4more air escape ports 36 communicablewith the successive pockets 41 as they approach the openings 37. The

bottom oflthemember 8is also provided with a series of radial liquidsupply recesses noy j 49 which communicate with the openings forming the liquid supply grid 39, and the outer extremities of which terminate in the liquid supply manifpld 48. The manifold 48 is preferably cast integral with the vertical wall of the member 8 and communicates with the liquid supply pipe 1,7. The manifold 48l is also vpreferably provided with a removable plug 54 for effecting flushing of the manifold. The liquid supply pipe 17 is provided with a control :valve 50 operable by means of a lever 60 and with a flow regulating valve 47 located closely adl jacent to the.' manifold48. .A reserve tank 33 having a Icapacity sufficient to suppl several pockets' 4-1-- with liquid is located 1n lthe supply pipe 1.7 adjacent to the valves 47, 50.

The reserve tank 33 besides serving the f uncj tion f a header, serves as a sand Lrap'and has a cleaning plug 67 atthe bottom thereof.

shaft 44. The shaft 44 has a= evel pinion V43 at one end thereof which meshes with the main bevel gear 18, and has its opposite end provided with a handwheel 45 for manipulating the machine while changing grades. The main bevel gear 18 is secured to the lower portion of the vertical main shaft 16 by means of a set screw 42 and is provided with a plurality of vertical parallel drive rods 21 rejecting upwardly` therefrom. A series oi) upon a central drive element which is pierced by the rods 21, these can hooks 11 being adapted to engage the successive cans 19 which are delivered to the machine by the `feed drum 14 and to transport the cans about the central vertical axis of the machine. An annular series of seven hoppers are formed in the single hopper member 1() which is also engaged by the driving-rods 21. The central portion of the hopper meniber 10 has screw thread engagement with the upper end of the adjusting sleeve22, the lower portion of which is locked to the shaft 16 by means of the setu screw 42. The stationary can support 12 located below the can hooks 11 is adapted to support the successive cans 19 during filling thereof and provides a mounting for the sector shaped can lTuide 20. The can discharge mechanism is of well known construction and requires no detailed description herein.

The horizontal main power shaft 56 has its inner extremity drivingly connected with the bevel gear 18 by means ,of a bevel pinion 55, andhas a main driving pulley 59 rotatably mounted upon the outer extremity thereof. The pulley 59 is conneetible with the shaft 56 to drive the same', by means of rotary sleeve 25.

a jaw clutch- 58 manipulable by the lever 57 which also operates the valver 46.

The mechanism forvarying the capacity of the granularmaterial measuring pockets 40 by vertical adjustment' of the top-plate 3 and upper element 4, comprises an adjusting rod 28 having a lower threaded end en gaging the upper` extremity of the stationary sleeve 24 and having a thrust collar'engageable with a lower 'inner surface formed at the upper end of' the vertically movable non- The rod 28 may be roy tated to vertically adjust the sleeve-25 relatively'to the sleeve 24 by means of a hand can hooks 11 are mounted wheel 27 which may be locked in an adjust- A l ed position by means vof a clamping nut co-l actingwith thel rod 28 and with the hand wheel 27 above the latter.

integral formation with the non-rotary top plate .3, and the locking pin 26k coacting with the two sleeves 25, 24 prevents relative rotation thereof. The top plate 3 is provided.

with an inspection -opening which is normally closed by a pivoted cover 61 as shown in F1g..5. The top plate 3 also forms a support for the rotary cut-olf valve 62 shown in' Fig. 5 and located adjacent to the discharge opening of the hopper 2. The valve 62 is positively and continuously rotated at apredetermined speed by means of a gear 63 .which meshes with an annular gear '34 Thesleevc 25 is fixed against rotation by virtue of its formed integral with the rotary upper 4' pocket element 4 as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6. The details of construction of the valve 62 are substantially the same as those of the corresponding valve lshown in Patent N o. 1,460,198 granted June 26, 1923.

When an agitator 64 is desirable, the same may be mounted upon a shaft 66 supported in bearings in the top plate 3 and having a driving connection with the gear 34 of the, rotating pocket element 4 as shown in Figs..

5 and 6. The gear 65 secured to the agitator shaft 66 meshes with an idler gear 70 mounted upon a counter shaft 69, the gear 70 in turn meshing Iwith the gear 34. The entire filler and can transporting mechanisms are preferably supported by a simple frame 15 comprising side and cross frames of well known structure.

During normal operation of vthe'iilling ma- I chine, granular material such as peas, is being delivered in bulk to the supply hopper 2 and liquid such as brine is being admitted to the supply pipe 17 from a source of supply. Power applied tothe pulley 59 is-being transmitted through the clutch 58 to the power shaft 56 and pinion 55. 'Ihe'rotary motion of the pinion 55 is transmitted through the main bevel gear 18 to the vertical shaft 16,' to the can supply and discharge mechanisms and'to the canhooks 1l and hopper member 10. Therotating shaft 16 produces rotary motion of the `pocket elements 7, 5,14 by virtue of the driving head 23 th'ercb causing the pockets 10, 41 to ass in successlon beneath the delivery openlngs of the hopper 2 and of the ,intermediate plate 6 respectively.

As the successive granular niaterialvmeasuring pockets 40 pass beneath the hopper discharge opening', `granular material is delivered by gravity to these pockets filling the same. As the filled pockets 40 pass latthey reach the discharge opening 51 wherev upon the measured batches of granular material drop into the successive mixture measuring'pockets 41 which are being revolved between the plates 6, 9. The pockets 41 which have thus been partially filled with granular material are' subsequently brought into communication with the liquid supply grid 39 whereupon'liquid is admitted from the supply pipe 17 through the valves'46, 47, 50, reserve tank 33, header 48 and passages 49, and is forced upwardly into the successive pockets 41. The liquid entering the" pockets 41 from below fills the voids of the granular material and eventually completely-lls the pockets 41 with mixture of granular material and liquid, vthe air escaping freely from within the pockets 41 through the vent 38 during such filling. When the successive pockets 41are filled with mixture, they'advance toward the discharge opening 37 through whichthe measured batches of Vmixture are automatically precipitated into the successive hoppers of the rota-ting member 10, the air vent 36 functioning to admit air to the successive pockets 41 during such discharge of mixture. 'The charges delivered to .these hoppers are delivered in'to the successive cans 19 which have been supplied by the canfeed drum 14 and which are being transported along-the support 12-and guide 20 ,by means of the revolving can Ahooks 11. The successive cans 19 which are thus suitably filled with mixture are subsequently delivered'from the filling machine 4 to the .closing machines in a well known .mannen 'It will thus be noted that the siiccessive cans 19 are automatically filled with a proper amount of mixture of granular material and liquid and that each measured move the sleeve 25 and top batch has like proportions of ingredients.

If it is desired to var the report-ion of granular material'. and liquid 1n each batch vof mixture, it is only necessaryto manipulate the lhand wheel 27. Rotation of the hand wheel 27 causes the adjusting rod 28 to plate 3 along the central axis of the machine and relatively to the fixed sleeve 24. Such vertical movement of the top plate 3 causes similar movement of the upper pocket element 4 relatively to the lower pocket element 5 without interfering with the rotation of the elements 4, 5.- The relative movement of thev elements 4, 5 produces variation-in the vol- 'umes o f the measuring pockets-40 thereby permitting any desired variation in the proportion of ingredients constituting the final batches of mixture without interrupting the normal operation of the machine. It will be observed that as the'top plate 3 and element 4 are adjusted vertically, the hopper 2 is also displaced thus making it necessary to provide ay flexible or telescopic portion in the liquid supply pipe 29.

If it is desired to vary the position of the hopper element 10 relatively to the main shaft 16, it is only necessary to release the set screw 42 andA to rotate the sleeve 22 by manipulation of the bearing nut 85 formed integral therewith, whereupon the screw thread coaction between the sleev'e 22 and t-he element 10 will cause the elementlO Yto move along the shaft 16. The driving rods 21 however preventrelative rotation of the element 10 and shaft 16.

Vhen the machine is operating normally, liquid is being delivered from the main supply pipe 17 through the pipe 29 to the contin'uous pipe 30 at the top of the hopper 2.

This liquid is discharged through'the lower,

openings 31 of the pipe 30 along the inner surface of the hopper 2 and serves to lubricate the hopper surface and toV prevent sticky granules from lodging upon the hopper sui:- A

tween the top plate 3 and the pocket element 4 from flowing down the outside surfaces of the machine. 4Such leakage. may be permitted to flow .through suitable conduits into the pockets 40 in an obvious manner or may l be allowed to drain directly into the pockets 41 through the intermediate plate 6. The

drip catch rim 53 likewise effectively prevents liquid which may escape through the joint between the the joint between the element 7 and plate 6 adjacent to the sleeve 24, fromflowing down the outside surfaces of the machine. Any leakage collected within l the rim 53 flows vthrough theV opening 51 into the unfilled pockets 41, as. shown in Fig. 3. The outer ocket element 5 and the stationary interm iate plate 6 and through annular wall of the liquid supply member *8 .also prevents liquid which may escape from' the' joint between the element 8 and the grid `plate-9 from flowing down the outer surface of the machine, and the integral formation of the member 8 and manifold 48 positively eliminates leakyv joints between these elements. The air "ents 36, 38 effectively prevent pocketing of air lin the struc- '.Y ture and enhance the efficiency and speed iso of operation by permitting free escape of air during filling and discharge of the ini'xture measuring pockets 41, and also eliininate splashing.

'The 'admission of liquid to the machine and the delivery of liquid to the pockets 4l is also effectively controllable. The main operating lever 57 `controls theopei'ation of the valve 46 simultaneously with the power. The How of liquid through the pipe 17 to the manifold -48 may be sensitively regulated by adjustment of the valve 47 and this flow may be quickly cut o'f or established by. manipulation of the valve 50. tank 33 besides establishing a desirable head and insuring a proper and constant supply of liquid, serves as a purifier for the liquid. This reserve tank 33 effectively displaces the usual complicated brine tank with ob.- jectionable float control valves therein. The plugs 54, 67, 68 permit convenient cleaning of the liquid supply conduits whenever desirable.

The entire structure may also be rapidlyy assembled and dismantled, the various elements of the measuring mechanism being held in place by gravity. It will be noted that by removing the hand wheel 2T. the hopper 2 and top plate 3 are freely vertically removable together with the upper pocket element 4. The pocket element 5inteimediate plate 6, pocket element 7 and grid plate l9 are then successively vertically removable. The other elements of the structure are likewise readily removable thusfacilitating inspection, cleaning and repairing.

The improved filler is extremely simple,

compact, sanitary and efficient in every respect and is operable at comparatively high speed without damaging or wasting materials. All of the elements may be' readily manufactured and the machine may be maintained in operation with minimum attention.` -While the device specifically described is especially adapted to lill cans with mixture of -peas and brine, its Aadaptability for other uses is obvious.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit'the present invention to the exact details of construction and operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occurto persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a filling machine, a terial supply hopper having charge opening, an agitator within said pocket adjacent ty-o said opening, means -for directing liquid downwardly along the surface of said hopper beneath the granular material resting'thereon, a series of pockets successively communicable ywith said opengranular maa lower dising, and means for positively'urging granu' The reserve opening.

lar material intosaid pockets as they pass laterally beyond said opening.l

Ina lilling machine, a granular material supply hopper having a lower discharge opening, an agitator within said pocket adjacent to said opening, means for directing liquid downwardly along the surface of said hopper beneath the granular material resting thereon, a series of pockets successively communicable with said discharge opening,

and a stationary element-having a surface 'adjacent to said opening formed to positively urge material from said hopper into said pockets as they passlaterally beyond said 3. In a filling machine, an annular series of granular material measuring pocket-s, an annular sei'ies of mixture measuring pockets located below said firstinentioned series, and an annular wall 'circumscribing each of Vsaid series and extending upwardly above the tops of the adjacent pockets of the respective series. i

4. In a filling machine, super-posed annuy lar series of measuring pockets, means for delivering material to successive pockets of the upper and lower series, and means for collecting material escaping. from filled pockets and for delivering said material to unfilled pockets of the lower series.

5. In a filling machine, an annular series `of measuring pockets rotatable about an axis, means for delivering liquid upwardly to successive pockets of said series, and inea-ns for collecting liquid escaping .from the tops of filled pockets and for delivering said liquid tothe tops of unfilled pockets of said series.

6. In a filling machine, a. series of measuring pockets rotatable about an axis and having openv lower ends, a stationary member having an annular wall extending from the betteln to the top of said pockets and conipletely surrounding said series, said wall providing means for delivering liquid upwardly into the lower ends of successive pockets, and a liquid manifold formed in.`

tegral with said wall.

7. In a tilling machine, a. series of measuring pockets movable about a vertical axis and'having open lower ends, and a member :forming a cup within which said pockets are located entirely, said member having passages or delivering liquid upwardly into thel lower ends of successive pockets of said series. A

' 8. In a fillingmachine, a series of measuring pockets revoluble about an axis and having open lower ends, a member forming ,a cup within which said pockets are located entirely, said member having passages for delivering ends of successive pockets of.said series,

and aI liquid manifold formed integral,

liquid upwardly into the lower ties of the, upper of said series, an intermediate plate coacting with the lower extremity of the upper of said series and with the upper extremity of the lower of said series, a bottom plate coacting with the lower extremity of the lower of said series, and annular rims surrounding the surfaces ofl coaction between said plates and said pockets. I

11. -In a filling machine, an annular series of measuring pockets having a gear formed integral therewith, means for feed'- 'ing granular material to successive pockets of said series, and a rotary cut-off valve for said pockets operable directly by said gear.

12. In a filling machine, an annular series of measuring pockets, means for-rotating said pocket-s about. an axis, means for feeding granular material to said pockets, a cutofi' valve for intercepting delivery of material to said pockets upon advancement thereof beyond said feeding means, and gearing connecting said pockets and said valve for rotating the latter.

13. In a filling machine, an annular series of measuring pockets rotatable about an axis, a Oear rotatable by said series, a hopper for pockets of said series, and means operable directly by said gear for controlling' delivery of material from saidhopper to said pockets while the latter pass beyond 4the hopper discharge.

14. In a filling machine, a stationary top plate, an annular bearing ring secured to -said plate, and-a rotatable measuring pocket v element supported by said ring.

. a telescopic union with Vment.

15. In a filling machme, a non-rotary to plate, an annular bearing ring secured to said platefa rotary measuring vpocket element supported directly by said ring, and means for effecting verticall adjustment of said plate and of said element. 16. In a filling machine, a non-rotary plate, a measurinn` pocket element rotatably supported. by said plate, means for effecting simultaneous vertical adjustment'of said plate and of said element, and a second positively rotatable pocket element, havin said adjustable eledelivering granular material to successive- 17; In a filling machine, a top plate having an upright central sleeve, a rotary poele et element having a central tubular projection extending within said sleeve, a stationary member located within said projection, and means for relatively moving said top plate and said member along said projection.

18. In a filling machine, a top-plate, a rotary pocket element having a central projection penetrating said top plate, a stationary member within said projection, and an adjusting rod coacting with said member to effect adjustment of said plate along said projection.

19. In a filling machine, an annular series of measuring pockets terminatin in a plane surface, a closure plate engageab e with` said pockets at said surface, and an annular wall formed integral with said plate and circumscribing said series of pockets, said wall extending upwardly from said surface and befiliV ing of greater internal diameter tha'nthe external diameter of said` series to provide a liquid collecting trough between said pockets 'and said wall. Y

20. In a filling machine, an annular series of measuring pockets formed integral with a circular movable plate, a stationary cut oli' plate having surface coaction with said movable plate to. form a closure for said pocket-s, and an annular'wall of' greater internal diameter than the external diameter of said movable plate formed integral with said stationary plate, said wall extending beyond the surface of coaction of said plates to form a liquid collecting trough.

21. In a filling machine, superposed series of pockets movable about a common axis,

"an intermediate plate coacting with a lower surface of the upper of said series and with an upper surface of the lower of said series, a bottom plate coacting with a lower surface of the lower of said series, and annular walls surrounding the joints produced,

by the surface coaction between said plates.

22. In a filling machine, superposed series l of pockets movable .about a common axis, a top plate coacting with the upper Vsurface of the upper of said series, arbottom plate coacting with thelower surface of the, lower of said series, and annular .walls surrounding the joints produced bythe surface coac- ,t

tion between said plates and said series.

23'. In a filling machine, superposed series of pockets' movable about acommon axis, a top plate coacting with the upper surface of the upper of said series, anintermediate plate coacting with the. lowersurface of the upper of said series and with the upper surface of the lower of said series, and annular walls surrounding the joints pro'- duced by the surface coaction between said plates and said series.

24. In afilhng machine, an annular series" of hoppers movable about an axis, means coacting with said hoppers and axis, and a single cated remote from said sleeve located between said driving means' Leeaas;

driving and said axis for effecting simultaneousvertical adjustment of said hoppers.

25. na filling machine, of integrally united hoppers. revo an annular series luble about an axis, driving rods or said hoppers lo cated remote from said axis, and a sin le 10 sleeve surrounding said axis and rotata le to effect simultaneous vertical adjustment of said hoppers.

- 'In testimony whereof, the I signature of?" the inventor is affixed hereto.

OSWALD H. HANSEN. 

